Three boats, one helicopter and one plane belonging to the coast guard were conducting search and rescue operations, according the coast guard. Empty lifeboats had been found as well as some life jackets, the coast guard said.

Five boats more were deployed to aid in the operations, as well as a remotely operated underwater vehicle from the Turkish naval forces, it said.

(Reporting by Can Sezer; Writing by Daren Butler and Ali Kucukgocmen; Editing by Dominic Evans and David Dolan, Larry King)